Alfred "Fred" Tully

Alfred (Fred) Sterner Tully, 71, of Missoula, passed away June 17, 2018 in a rafting accident on Rock Creek.
He was born September 4, 1946, to Yvonne Sterner Tully and Donald E. Tully in Missoula where he spent his entire life. Fred was the grandson of Alfred and Irene Sterner, one time owners of past Missoula notable businesses the Palace Hotel and Westerners.
Fred graduated from MCHS in 1964 and served honorably in the Montana Army National Guard. He married Alice McNees and they raised two sons, Paul and Kevin.
As a young man, he began working for the Northern Pacific Railroad, then the Burlington Northern Railroad, and finally ending a 42-year career with Montana Rail Link. He was an expert in Signal Maintenance and enjoyed being able to work outdoors all of his life.
Fred later met and married Laurel Kayser and accepted her son, Andy, as part of the family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Hannah. He leaves behind his wife Laurel, sons Paul and Kevin (Kristi) and grandson Drake, stepson Andrew Kayser (Brandy) and granddaughters Alexandra and Bryce Anne along with his brother Stephen (Linda), his half-brother Mike Lake (Betty) and many broken-hearted friends, especially the John Robbins family, the Joe Malingo family, and the Dick Reynolds family. Thank you all for your special love and friendships.
Fred was an avid outdoors man and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, backpacking, and horseback riding in Montana, Idaho, the Dakotas, Alaska, and Canada. The Bob Marshall Wilderness always held a special place in his heart.
Through the years, Fred enjoyed his hobby farm of horses, mules, chickens, turkeys, cows and his sons’ 4-H hogs. He also coached his sons’ Little League teams.
Fred was a member of the Missoula Trap and Skeet Club where he was a winner of many state competitions and trophies. He will be missed by many who shot with him and those who volunteered with him on the ‘Monday Gang’ and maintenance crew.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday June 23 at 12 noon at Garden City Funeral home on the corner of Mullan and Broadway.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Granite County Search and Rescue and can be sent to the Granite County Sheriffs office at P.O. Box 188 Philipsburg, MT 59858